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I have a 30x and 800. I find etrex units to be clunky to use generally but they seem more reliable and you can power them with AAs. I use a lot of the cycling data so etrex is less use to me but probably better for your needs. Etrex mounts either make it too easy or too hard to get the units out - mine is too easy so the mount is feckin' useless. I kept it in my saddle bag as a triple backup only. Etrex can do moving speed and total time, etc. So you'll probably get what you need from it. I've run my HCx from external power - not actually sure I've done it with 30x but almost certain it's possible.
hippy-
Thanks for this, thanks @platypus too. I'm tempted to butcher a garmin edge quarter turn mount to the back of the etrex.
Probably the Edge is still a good option, but reliability is a concern for me. I already had my much simpler 200 turn off by itself a few times, and it already lost the route on a tandem ride that was NOT fun. It just started beeping off course on a straight road, and never found it back.
For now the dealbreaker is that if I end up touring in South East Asia, for instance, the etrex will be a lot more useful than an 800. At least it seems this way to me.
ough
After looking into a second hand Edge 800, and reading this thread, I'm now considering an etrex 20x. Would be good to hear from someone who knows it, my intended uses are:
– Audax: planning routes and uploading to device, then following turn by turn
– Audax: recording the ride and generating gpx for validation of diys
– Touring: being aware of the surroundings of where I'm passing through
– Touring: being able to plan a route for the day on the go
– When things go wrong: finding the nearest town, station, cycle shop, pub, whatever
Cadence, wattage, heart rate absolutely wasted on me. That said, I like having a sense of my average speed but I assume the etrex has this, at least? Lastly, I have an external USB battery pack that I can use in long rides, can someone confirm this is possible or if I can only run it with AA batteries?